Isaac Macharia wins the 2007 Bogota Half Marathon (© Victah Sailer)
Over 43,000 runners filled the streets in the capital city of Colombia, Bogota for the Bogota Half Marathon, the largest annual running event in the country (28).
WOMEN
Neriah Asiba (KEN), 25, pulled off one of the greatest upsets by beating fellow countrywomen, Susan Chepkemei, one of the most decorated female half marathon runners of all-time.
With a slight breeze and temps at 14C, the lead woman followed the men's race. Chepkemei, the course record holder led with Asiba in tow. They remained together until 15km when Chepkemei sufferred a very strong cramp, and noticing it was causing her to falter a little, Asiba surged to the lead and stayed there all the way to the finish line breaking the tape in 1:16:07.
Chepkemei was thinking of dropping out of the event at 10km, as she was feeling the effects of the altitude and the strong sunshine that drove the temps to 22C at the finish.
"I was ok, but the altitude is too strong”, said Asiba. This opinion was repeated over and over by elite participants.
Finishing a strong second in the women's race was Colombian, Martha Ronceria in 1:17:44, while Chepkemei finished third in 1:17:53.
MEN
In the men's division, pre-race favourite, Patrick Makau (KEN), also felt the strong sun and high altitude.
After 5kms at 14:57, the lead pack consisted of Makau, Kimutai Kiplimo (KEN),Gobin Condor (PER) and 2 time second place, Isaac Macharia (KEN).
The leaders ran together till about 8km, when the Peruvian, Condor slipped off the pace of what was generally a very tactical race.
The pack now consisted of the 3 Kenyans who passed 10km in 29:30, with Macharia pushing the pace just after 13km, passing 15km in 44:37 before reaching the finish in 1:03:38. It was his first win in four tries in the Bogota Half Marathon.
Macharia commented it was "very tactical, my previous experience on the course was not that important….I knew it would be a difficult race, with everyone watching each other, and it would be slow with the altitude."
Kiplimo held his own to the finish-line in 1:03:58, while Condor came back to pass a "very tired" Makau in 1:04:10 for third. Makua was fourth in 1:05:31
Victah Sailer for the IAAF
RESULTS
Men
1. Issac Macharia (KEN) 1:03:38
2. Kimutai Kiplimo (KEN) 1:03:58
3. Gobin Condor (PER) 1:04:10
4. Patrick Makau (KEN) 1:05:31
5. Paulino Canchan (PER) 1:06:18
6. Jose Tellez (BRA) 1:06:51
7. Giovanni Amador (COL) 1:07:02
8. Joseph Kahugu (KEN) 1:07:16
9. Herder Vasquez (COL)1:07:27
10. Constantino Leon (PER) 1:07:39
Women
1. Neriah Asiba (KEN)1:16:07
2. Martha Ronceria (COL) 1:17:44
3. Susan Chepkemei (KEN) 1:17:53
4. Yolando Fernandez (COL)1:19:04
5. Lina Arias (COL) 1:22:20
